University Hospital Waterford (UHW) submitted for a second catheterisation machine during the summer, but it remains unknown whether the facility, which in total would cost €1 million, has been provided for in its 2016 budget.
The pressing issue of 24/7 cardiac care provision at UHW, which has been repeatedly highlighted by our reporter Kieran Foley, and this submission to the HSE was confirmed to The Munster Express by Hospital General Manager Richard Dooley.
But this request, which would permit cardiac treatment outside of existing working hours, i.e. beyond 5pm on Fridays and over the weekend, would still appear to be up for consideration by both the HSE and the Department of Health. It’s believed that the additional cath machine would cost approximately €500,000, with another €500,000 required for additional cardiology staff at Ardkeen.
Cardiac care provision at UHW, like radiotherapy before it, looks set to be a major general election issue, with Fianna Fáil’s Mary Butler and Sinn Féin’s David Cullinane proving particularly outspoken of late on the matter.
However, Minister of State Paudie Coffey (FG), who has been questioned repeatedly about the issue, said he remains fully committed to seeing 24/7 cardiac cover delivered at UHW
